Stella Dallas (1937 film)

Stella Dallas is a 1937 American film based on the Olive Higgins Prouty novel of the same name. It was directed by King Vidor, and stars Barbara Stanwyck, John Boles, and Anne Shirley. Stanwyck was nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, and Shirley for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

Stella Martin Barbara Stanwyck, the daughter of a mill worker in a postWorld War I Massachusetts factory town, is determined to better herself. She sets her sights on mill executive Stephen Dallas John Boles and catches him at an emotionally vulnerable time. Stephens father killed himself after losing his fortune. Penniless, Stephen disappeared from high society, intending to marry his fiance Helen Barbara ONeil once he was financially able to support her. However, just as he reaches his goal, he reads in the newspaper the announcement of her wedding. So he marries Stella.A year later, their daughter Laurel played by Anne Shirley as a young woman is born. To Stellas great surprise, she discovers she has a strong maternal instinct. Even when she is out dancing and partying, she cannot help but think about her child. As Laurel grows up, Stellas ambition and scheming to rise socially is redirected to her daughter. ........

Source: Wikipedia